Australia needs to modernise its health and care system to make it more sustainable, reduce cost pressures by embracing technology, lift productivity and deliver higher standards of care for all generations, according to this report. The report identifies an outdated model of delivering care, an ageing population, a shrinking workforce and an increase in chronic disease as putting strain on Australia’s health and care system which will only increase the funding gap and limit care options.

The report provides a blueprint outlining the essential steps to be taken now to ensure a healthier, more productive nation. The blueprint's recommendations are founded on six key principles with overarching recommendations that are supported by specific actions.

Key findings

• The number of working age Australians per retiree will fall from 4 to less than 3 within 40 years.
• In 2022–23, the gap between Medicare levy revenue and Medicare benefits expenditure was approximately $5.6B.
• Government aged care expenditure increased by 64% between 2017–18 and 2023–24.
• Over the next 20 years, the average number of people turning 80+ each year will be more than 60,000 compared to more than 20,000 the previous 20 years.
• There is a projected shortage of 79,000 nurses by 2035.

Recommendations

1. Empower consumers to manage their health and wellbeing by supporting consumer-centred care.
2. Build a future health and care system to enable equitable access to services for all Australians.
3. Invest in early intervention, research, innovation and prevention to cultivate a healthy and more productive nation.
4. Strengthen the health and care workforce through adequate workforce planning and training to ensure it is productive and skilled.
5. Enable greater access to services by supporting a complementary and dynamic public and private health and care system.
6. Create a health and care system supported by a coordinated national approach, with improved accountability and coordination.